Sheathing for metal building structure



Feb. 28, 1933. F. R. HIGLEY SHEATHING FOR METAL BUILDING STRUCTURE Filed Feb. 26,

INVENTOR Q with further objects and advantages thereof tween.

Patented Feb. 28, 1933 UNITED STATES FRANK R. HIGLEY, OF CLEVELALTD HEIGHTS, OHIO, AS SIGNOR TO THE INSULATED STEEL FLOOR AND WALL COMPANY, OF GLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPOBATIQN OF OHIO- SHEATHING FOR METAL BUILDING STRUCTURE Application filed February 26, 1931. Serial No. 518,381.

This invention relates to sheathing for metal building structures.

- More particularly the invention contemplates a metal wall structure of the type known as Holorib and comprising a member of sheet metal bent to provide a metal wall having parallel dovetails progectingfrom one side thereof, the wall being thus of a single thickness ofmetal, having a pinrality of panels in a plane with integral dovetails between panels to forin hollow stiffening ribs and a ceramic or other nonmetallic sheathing for the metal on the rib side of the wall, andcomprising blocks se cured by interlocking engagement with the dovetails so as to be self supporting upon the wall metal.

The wall will thus comprise an assembly of a number of non-metallic blocks secured with a metallic member, upon one side of the latter so that one face of the wall will be of metal interrupted only at the ribs; and the other face will be of the material of the blocks, interrupted only by joints therebe- The twofaces of the wall will be spaced, with a hollow therebetween of width equal to the projecting dimension of the ribs. 1

The object of the invention is to provide blocks for the purpose described, yet of simple and inexpensive form. 1 A further object is to provide ribs upon the blocks for preventing circulation in the space between the described metallic and non-metallic face of the wall. Still a further object is to so proportion and arrange the blocks that their sheathing face portions may be presented in the assembly either in staggered relation as to simulate a masonry construction, orv aligned relation as to form a pattern of squares. Another object is to provide that the blocks will give maximum fire protection, particularly to the ribs.

It is obvious that the wall underconsideration may be eitheravertical or sidewall, or a horizontal floor or ceiling-wall, and the invention embraces a form of block ecpually adaptable to either arrangement.

The exact nature of the invention together will be apparent from the following descrip-r tion taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which Figs. 1-5 inclusive are illustrative of one form of the invention and Flgs. 6-8 inclusive show another form.

described sheathing; Figs. 2 and 3 are per spective views of the twoforms of blocks employed for sheathing; Figs. 4 and 5 show fac} same bloc-ks; Fig. 6 is a'section corresponding to that of F1g. '1; Fig. 71s a perspective view of the principal block employed in construe 1 tion of Fig. 6; and Fig.8 illustrates a facing pattern obtainable with the blocks of Figs. 6 and 7. v I I With referencenow to the drawing and particularly to Figs. 1 to 5 thereof, the metal of the wall is a single sheet 1 bent asindicated to form a plurality of panels 2 in-a plane, with hollow ribs 3 of dovetail-section projecting uponone side of the plane between the panels 2, the ribs 3 being located uponequally spaced center lines X. i I i Two forms of coacting blocks are employed which may hereinafter be referred to as A V ribs 8 beyond the plane of the metal panel2.

The end 9 of the rib 8 is disposed at the angle of the panel 7 and thus of the ribs 3. The offset 6 is such that when the A block is positioned as in 1, the face of the panel 5 will lie in the plane of the extremities of the ribs 8. The panels a, 5 and 7 are of uniform width as is the A block therefor; The overall length of the A block is such that the block maybe inserted between an adjacent pair of ribs 3rjso that the edge of the block rib 9 may v bear against the back-of one of the inetal panels 2. V

55, More particularly, Fig. 1 is a typical section through a wall including the metal and its i ing patterns optionally obtainable withthe The B block shown in'Fig. 3has a face panel 100i width corresponding to. that of the A block and of length such that together with the length of theface panel 4: of the A block .it will equal the unit'spacing between the ribs 3 of the metal wall. A key member '11 extends from one end of the panel 10 at' I 'an angleequal to that of the sides of'the ir ibs The thickness of the member 11 is' such" that when an A blockis positioned-as in Fig. 1 to provide a clearance between the end 9 ofits rib 8 and the opposite side of the adjacent metal ri'bB the member 11 will fill this clearance opening.

The manneroi assembly will beapparent froniFig'; l where, starting from right to -le:t,.an 1h block is first positioned as indi- I ,cated, with-its panelv 7 abutting one of the 4 sides of the corresponding rib A B block lis next added by inserting its key member 11 {at the right end of the A block, the panel 'lfOQof the-B member extending to the right 3 overlying the panel 5 of the A block previouslyilaid; and also the intervening irib 3. It will be apparent that when a course is laid,

*asurfac'e o'lthe block inaterial'isrpres'ented beyond the extremities of the, ribs 3, interrupted only by-joints between face panels of thejblocksu Thus a double wall .is formed having oneftace of metal. compr1s1ng the panels Q'and'tlie other face of the-material of the, blocks.

These faces are spaced, the completedwall having a thickness greater A than the depth of the ribs 3. V V

It will beii'oted that each rib is protected on all sides throughoutits:lenfith by a thick 'nes's of the block material. Further, there is "but one jointin theblock material along each 4 rib and that/protected by the ampleoverlap between panel 5 of the A block and panel oit the B block. Thus if the blocks are of fire resisting properties such as of ceramic, lithic' orlikematerials, the. metal of the wall is proi=tected against heat asfrom a fireupon the c 5 block side of the wall;

" Preferably theproportions are such that the joint Ybetween blocks at the base of the key member 11 of the B block, is spaced from sent asquare pattern as in Fig. 4:. But providedthe blocks are reversedinevery other course, a staggered patternas in Fig, 5 may i be; produced .with" the same blocks. fVVith :feither arrangement'theribs 8 of the Ablocks provide transverse partitions through the hollow ofthe complete wall toprevent'circur 1 6. lationof airtherethrough in the direction-of the centerline X of the adjacent rib 3, one eighth of the unit rib spacing; while the joint Z at the other end of the panel 10 of the B I blockwith the adjacent block panel 4:, is three times as far from the same center line 5-5 Where' this is true the length of thepanel rerun-A block is the same as that of the panel, 10 of the B block. Thus if all course's are l aid the same, the block surface will prebefore.

the ribs 3 which latter ofcou'rse prevent circulation in the direction of the block ribs'8. Thus a cellular wall is had with all of the well-known resulting thermal advantages. I

With reference now to the showingiof Figs;

68 inclusive, the metal wall-1 isthe same as p The A block, however, shown in p Fig. 7 has a face panel 12 ot length'equal to the unit spacing ofthe ribs 3 and rectangular, of any'convenient Wldi3l1 Upstanding it'rom the panel 12 near one end thereof is a, panel 13.-disp0sed at the angle of thesides of the ribs 3. A rib 14: joins the panels 12 and 13 I extending alongthe' former and terminating at '15 at the angle] of. the ribs The. A block of Fig. 7 may thus fbepositioned against the metal wall as indicatedin Fig. 6 with one of the metal ribs received'in the crotch provided in the A block bythe-panel :13 and providing at its'opposite end a clearancejbe tween the end 15 of therib lland thead 'acent metal rib 3.

solid generally rectangular block (it equal to the width of the A block.

length he is b100 1; of this form need merelybe a' 'Assembly here w ll'pr'oceed from left right Fig.6. Between each-pair of metal-ribs i3 and A block is first positioned as shown,

thereafter a'B block inserted to key its A block. The next A block extends below the B block'justlaid to hold itin place, and its. B block is in turn thereaftersimilarly se cured. Thusv a "rectangular non-staggered pattern is had as indicatedin Fig. 8, the block v face ofthe wall in a course, being interrupted here by'onlyone joint'instead of two asin the form of Figs. 1 5. Here again, however,

each rib 3 is protected throughout'its length on all sides by-a thickness ofjthe material of:

the blocks. The ribs'1eof the A blocks of courserserve ineXactlythesame manner as the ribs 8 of the A blocks ofthe other form.

It will be apparent that'the original metal walls may be laid horizontally as to provide a floor or vertically to provide side walls in building structure and the assembly of the blocks may be madethereon with equal faciL ity in either event. Likewise, once laid the blocks are positively keyed into position and self-maintained} in the assembly. fThus,

mortar or its equivalent may be in some'cases' unnecessary. Bituminous or other plastic mortar. substitutemay nicely be usedjbeing applied as the blocks are laid wherethe completed Wall is tohave flexibility well beyond thatof the usual masonry construction;

l/Vhat I claimis; I -1.' A building wall comprising a member of sheet metal bent to-providea metalwall said dovetail, and being there held by a block of the other design.

2. A building wall comprising a member of sheet metal bent to provide a metal wall having parallel dovetails projecting from one side thereof, and non-metallic blocks secured with said metal member by interlocking engagement with said dovetails, said blocks comprising A and B blocks having face portions disposed in a plane removed fromthat of said wall beyond said dovetails and adapted to provide a sheathing surface for said metal, one of said block types being longer than the other transversely of said dovetails, and including a strengthening rib extending transversely thereof to prevent air circulation within the wall in the direction of said dovetails.

3. A building wall comprising a member of sheet metal bent to provide a metal wall havin arallel dovetails ro'ec'tin from one side thereof, and a pair of non-metallic blocks adapted to be secured with said metal member by interlocking engagement between an adj acent pair of said dovetails, one of said'blocks having an end portion adapted to be 'positioned in the corner at the base of one of said dovetails, and having its opposite end portion arranged to cooperate with the other dovetail to provide a groove having parallel walls, and the other block comprising a tongue.

adapted for insertion into said groove as a key to maintain the assembly.

4. A building wall comprising a member of sheet metal bent to provide a metal wall having equally spaced parallel dovetails projecting from one side thereof, and non-metallic blocks secured with said metal member by interlocking engagement with said dovetails, said blocks comprising A and B blocks having face portions disposed in aplane removed from that of said wall beyond said dovetails, and having their face portions offset with respect to their interlocking portions whereby the blocks may be laid so that the joints between their face portions will be staggered.

In testimony whereof I hereby afiix my signature.

FRANK R. HIGLEY. 

